Today's Media Session -- Coach Kelly

Notre Dame head football coach, Brian Kelly -- met with the media for the first time in the last six days -- today at the Guglielmino Athletic Complex.  He talked about the new Notre Dame Football Awards Banquet (which will be held on January 22nd), yesterday's decision by the St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney, Miami preparation, the QB position, Dayne Crist, etc,.  Here's the story:

LINK:  COACH KELLY WITH THE MEDIA TODAY

A "Notre Dame" Christmas for Cancer Patients

This past week the University of Notre Dame Athletic Department had its annual Christmas Party for 100 families from the Michiana area who have children battling cancer at Memorial Hospital.  Many Notre Dame student-athletes have "adopted" these kids as part of the "Fighting Irish Fight for Life" program.   You'll enjoy this video -- I posted this story earlier this week, but I didn't have a direct link to the video -- now we do!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME CHRISTMAS PARTY

"Domer" Cunningham Stays at Tulsa!!!

Fomer Notre Dame student and long-time administrator in the Irish athletic department, Bubba Cunningham '84 -- did a "180" yesterday afternoon and decided not to take the Athletic Director's position at the University of Kansas.  Cunningham instead, signed a contract extension with the University of Tulsa to remain as its Athletic Director.  What was rumored as a "done deal" on Tuesday -- is no more -- and the Kansas media is not to happy about this!  Current Deputy Athletic Director at Notre Dame, Bill Scholl was rumored to also be a candidate for the position at Kansas -- maybe he'll be their hire?  Here are the links to the stories:



LINK:  KANSAS DOESN'T GET DEAL DONE WITH CUNNINGHAM!

LINK:  CUNNINGHAM TO REMAIN AT TULSA

ND Students Head Home for Christmas!

Today is the the University of Notre Dame's last day of Final Exams for the Fall Semester -- the dorms will be closing, so students will be heading home for the Christmas break.  To get the Notre Dame Family "in the spirit" of Christmas -- here's a link to Notre Dame's Glee Club signing some Christmas carols.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S GLEE CLUB -- CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Mike Haywood Introduced as Pitt Head Coach

Former Notre Dame student-athlete and Offensive Coordinator -- Mike Haywood, was introduced yesterday afternoon as the 35th head coach in the history of the Pitt Panther football program.  Haywood a 1986 graduate of the University of Notre Dame -- becomes the first African American head football coach in Pitt's history.  During yesterday's press conference Haywood announced that he had "already cleaned out his office" at Miami of Ohio -- where he led the RedHawks to the Mid American Conference Championship this year -- and that he would begin "recruiting immediately."  Haywood will not be coaching Miami of Ohio in their upcoming GoDaddy.com Bowl game.  FYI:  NOTRE DAME PLAYS @ PITT ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2011.   Here's a link to the video from the press conference introducing Haywood -- along with links to stories from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pitt University Athletics site.  Congratulations Mike!

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE -- INTRODUCING HAYWOOD 

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE STORY

LINK:  PITT ATHLETICS OFFICIAL SITE